Archive: 17 December 2003
66 articles found
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Priok witnesses make wild U-turns in testimony
Priok witnesses make wild U-turns in testimony Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two witnesses for the adhoc human rights trial of Col. Sutrisno Mascung and 10 of his subordinates gave on Tuesday testimony contradictory to his own previous statements regarding the massacre in Tanjung Priok in 1984. Sudarso bin Rais, the first witness, told the court that a group of military soldiers confronting a crowd of demonstrators on the night of the Sept.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nine officials quizzed over runaway train
Nine officials quizzed over runaway train Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung State-owned railway company PT KAI said on Tuesday nine employees were being questioned in relation to a recent accident involving a train that rolled without a driver for up to 50 kilometers into the center of the capital.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia Power to build power plants
Indonesia Power to build power plants The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Power firm PT Indonesia Power said it would build a number of small capacity power plants in Jambi province and East Kalimantan province next year to meet domestic power demand. Firdaus Akmal, the company's president said it would build two power plants in Jambi province and one in Berau, East Kalimantan partnering with foreign investors.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cialis hit RI market
Cialis hit RI market JAKARTA: The Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Body (BPOM) has approved the distribution of the erectile dysfunction (ED) drug Cialis, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly Indonesia said in a statement recently. Cialis, which is also known by its generic brand Tadalafil, is a new phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) enzyme inhibitor, which has been shown to improve erectile function for up to 36 hours after intake.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang now has mobile library
Tangerang now has mobile library TANGERANG: To improve the quality of human resources, the municipal administration kicked off on Tuesday the operation of mobile libraries. Inaugurating the launch, Mayor Wahidin Halim expressed hope the library could help to stimulate residents' reading habits and improve their knowledge. Wahidin added his administration was also renovating dozens of damaged school buildings across the municipality.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Mega ends trip, concludes counterterror deal with Pakistan
Mega ends trip, concludes counterterror deal with Pakistan Agencies, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri completed on Tuesday her state visit to Pakistan, where she inked trade and antiterrorism agreements with the South Asian country. Megawati and Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali witnessed the signing of preferential tariff and antiterrorism cooperation agreements between the two predominantly Muslim countries.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Unilever Indonesia appoints new president
Unilever Indonesia appoints new president The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Leading consumer product company PT Unilever Indonesia will have an Indonesian national as its new president next year as the company continues to post strong growth. Starting Jan. 1, Maurits Lalisang will replace Nihal Kaviratne, who will assume a new role as senior vice president for development and environmental affairs of Unilever Asia Business Group based in Singapore.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Some good reasons not to promote Mangku Pastika, yet
Some good reasons not to promote Mangku Pastika, yet I Wayan Juniartha, Journalist, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The current hot issue among journalists assigned to Bali Police headquarters could be summed up in just six words: "Mangku Pastika out, Gorries Mere in". Initially, this was just a rumor, but it has gained ground in the last few days, particularly after its confirmation by a local journalist known for having an extensive network of contacts on the force.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Parties to join PNI Marhaneisme
Parties to join PNI Marhaneisme JAKARTA: Some small parties that failed to pass the National Elections Commission (KPU) screening have expressed interest in joining the Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme), led by Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, a daughter of founding president Sukarno.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
City holds closed-door meeting on 2004 budget
City holds closed-door meeting on 2004 budget Bambang Nurbianto and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration and the city council debated the draft 2004 city budget behind closed doors on Tuesday, sparking immediate criticism of collusion and corruption. Councillor Amarullah Asbah of the Golkar party said the meeting was held in secret because the agenda only focused on preliminary deliberations.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
122 projects set for inauguration in NTB
122 projects set for inauguration in NTB MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Vice President Hamzah Haz will dedicate 122 development projects financed by the 2003 national budget in Teluk Sintong, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Dec. 23. The projects include the building of a hospital, educational facilities, streets and bridges. NTB administration spokesman Gita Aryadi said on Monday that the total value of all the projects was Rp 734.16 billion.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Thailand seeks barter deal
Thailand seeks barter deal BANGKOK: Major shrimp exporter Thailand has proposed a barter deal to trade its prawns to purchase Airbus planes, and warned it could turn to U.S. competitor Boeing if Airbus doesn't bite, a report said on Tuesday. The Bangkok Post said Thailand is keen to use the aircraft negotiations to offload a prawn surplus onto the European Union after seafood exports to the bloc plummeted last year.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Sigit helps turn around BII
Sigit helps turn around BII Sigit Pramono has proven himself as a reliable banker when the government trusted him to pilot the ailing Bank Internasional Indonesia in September 2002, after the government rescued the bank from the late 1990s financial crisis. When Sigit first took the job, the bank's capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was -51.6 percent with a non-performing loan (NPL) level of 62.2 percent.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
2 x 22
2 x 22 Nine officials quizzed over runaway train JP/5/lampung 2 x 27 Lampung council challenges Alzier's election annulment JP/5/Biksu 1 x 45 Religious leaders to gather for peace prayers
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Former justice wants trial stopped
Former justice wants trial stopped P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former judge Adi Andojo told a hearing on Tuesday that the civil suit made against him by a client of the now-defunct Anticorruption Joint Team (TGPTPK) should be considered expired. "I have retired and I am no longer the chairman of the team," he told the South Jakarta District Court.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ex-Citibank banker to head BII
Ex-Citibank banker to head BII Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Shareholders of the publicly-listed Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) appointed on Tuesday Henry Ho, an ex-Citibank banker, as the new president of the country's sixth largest bank in terms of assets.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Gatotkaca's dream: Born to fly, but not too high
Gatotkaca's dream: Born to fly, but not too high Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In ancient Greek mythology, Icarus is depicted as representing man's desire to fly like the birds, while here in Indonesia we have a similar mythological figure: Gatotkaca, a character from the classical Mahabharata epic. While Icarus was a prisoner who tried to escape by making wings from feathers held together with wax, Gatotkaca was a noble knight gifted with the ability to fly.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
New BNI chief pledges to strengthen internal supervision
New BNI chief pledges to strengthen internal supervision Rendi A. Witular and Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The newly appointed president of state-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Sigit Pramono, said he would improve internal supervisory systems at the country's second largest bank to help prevent corrupt practices from reoccurring in the future.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police win case against President
Police win case against President JAKARTA: Former Jakarta Police chief Com. Gen. Nugroho Djayusman and six other police officers have won a court case against President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Indonesian Police chief Gen. Da'i Bahctiar, paving the way for their return to the police force. The seven officers sued the President and police chief for forcing them to retire three years ahead of the mandatory retirement age.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Terms of support
Terms of support Those who have frequently attacked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the tough lending conditions it has imposed on the Indonesian government should feel further outraged by the outcome and messages of the 13th annual meeting of the creditor consortium, the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), last week.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
45 people fined in ID raids
45 people fined in ID raids Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta North Jakarta and Central Jakarta municipalities fined a total of 45 people on Tuesday for not having proper identity cards during two raids at Wisma Gading Permai apartment in Kelapa Gading Timur, North Jakarta, and at boarding houses in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. The fines, ranging between Rp 10,000 (US$1.18) and Rp 27,000, were decided during on-the-spot trials.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nearly 30,000 haj pilgrims denied entry to Mecca
Nearly 30,000 haj pilgrims denied entry to Mecca The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Almost 30,000 Indonesians have to delay until 2005 their trip to Mecca to perform their haj pilgrimage after the Saudi Arabian government canceled the additional quota for Indonesian haj pilgrims for 2004. Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Munawar said on Tuesday that the Saudi government policy also applied to the other 17 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
All missing girls found dead in Aceh
All missing girls found dead in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: After searching for three days, a joint search and rescue team found the bodies of five missing girls who were drowned after their wooden boat capsized in Krueng Puto River in Lhoksukon subdistrict, North Aceh, an official said on Tuesday. Lhoksukon subdistrict head Hasanuddin said the last victim -- identified as Mauliana, 13, -- was found dead on Monday night on the riverbed.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nationalist spirit needed
Nationalist spirit needed From Suara Karya The human rights (HAM) institution in settling national issues arising in Indonesia applies methods that lack a sense of nationalism. In other words, it has apparently never struggled for national interests. Based on the 1945 Constitution, the HAM law and the HAM judicial procedure, the HAM institution functions not only as a means to try rights violation cases but also a means to prevent such violations.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
City yet to fully prepare for the floods
City yet to fully prepare for the floods Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dredging Jakarta's rivers ahead of the rainy season and expected devastating floods is yet to begin in earnest, despite the deadline for the US$4.3 million project set for Saturday. "Since I started the water pump project here (in September), I have never seen any dredging," said Siahaan, a worker of a city project installing two water pumps to shift water from the Grogol river to the West Flood Canal nearby.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Japanese Sushi, sashimi; a feast for the eyes and body
Japanese Sushi, sashimi; a feast for the eyes and body Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Because of their beautiful shapes and colorful presentation, some fans liken sushi and sashimi to Japanese culinary jewelry in a serving dish. But one thing for sure is that these raw and light dishes, whose popularity have spread to many countries, represent nature's flavorful freshness.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Khamenei says satisfied over arrest of Saddam, targets Bush, Sharon
Khamenei says satisfied over arrest of Saddam, targets Bush, Sharon Hossein Jasseb, Agence France-Presse, Tehran Iran's supreme leader declared on Tuesday that all Iranians were "pleased" at the arrest of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, but said U.S. President George W. Bush and Israel's Ariel Sharon should also go.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. trial -- 3x15
1. trial -- 3x15 UN's Annan says new Iraqi govt must come soon 2. iran -- 2x22 Khamenei says satisfied over arrest of Saddam 3. pope -- 1x30 Pope takes swipe at U.S. over Iraq 4. israel -- 1x35 Israel attempted to kill Saddam in 1992 5. malaysia -- 4x10 Malaysia, RI to step up security on shared border
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Religious leaders to gather for peace prayers
Religious leaders to gather for peace prayers Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Around 350 Buddhist monks from 31 countries and a number of prominent Indonesian religious leaders will gather for a peace prayer ceremony on Friday in the Borobudur Temple complex in Magelang, Central Java.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indofood CEO resigns over internal dispute
Indofood CEO resigns over internal dispute Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The world's largest instant noodle maker, PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, announced on Tuesday that its chief executive officer, Eva Riyanti Hutapea, had tendered her resignation from the company, amid reports of growing disagreement with the Salim family, the founder and controlling shareholder of the company.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
On higher school standards
On higher school standards On Nov. 15, 2003, an article I wrote was printed in The Jakarta Post titled RI's school should target higher standards. It is apparent that article has led to discussions, and concerns have been expressed. It has been suggested that the article set out to undermine the position of National Plus schools in Indonesia. This is something that I regret and I can say was not the intention.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Officer chairs corruption body
Officer chairs corruption body Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Lawmakers elected on Tuesday five leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), but critics expressed doubt over the choices for the anticorruption job, and wondered whether they could live up to public expectations. A secret ballot conducted by 44 members of the House of Representatives Commission II for legal and domestic affairs saw Insp. Gen.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Busway going nowhere
Busway going nowhere We can already envisage what the traffic will be like once the busway project is up and running. The congestion starts at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and "Hot Plate Harry" traffic circle in Kebayoran, South Jakarta. Even when there are no special buses on the roads! What will happen when passengers start going backwards and forwards across the street because there are no stairs or they are too lazy to use them?
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia, RI to step up security on shared border
Malaysia, RI to step up security on shared border Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Indonesia on Tuesday pledged to cooperate in the fight against illegal logging, smuggling and piracy at their common border on Borneo island by increasing security. Malaysia's defense minister Najib Razak said two new security outposts would be built in 2004 on the border to improve security along Malaysia's eastern Sarawak state and Indonesia's Kalimantan.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Unilever Indonesia appoints new president
Unilever Indonesia appoints new president The Jakarta Post Jakarta Leading consumer product company PT Unilever Indonesia will have an Indonesian national as its new president next year as the company continues to post strong growth. Starting Jan. 1, Maurits Lalisang will replace Nihal Kaviratne, who will assume a new role as senior vice president for development and environmental affairs of Unilever Asia Business Group based in Singapore.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Seeing red at the new stylish Melt
Seeing red at the new stylish Melt Broto Dharma, Contributor, Jakarta The 9th floor of BRI II in Central Jakarta has been a road less traveled for this foodie since the celebrated Cappellini's closed its doors a few years back. Remember that establishment, its groaning buffet spread and tight quarters every Saturday night as families piled in to feast on the assorted seafood, sushi and Italian treats?
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003
TV Program: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Music 8:00 TV Drama: Kemelut Cinta 9:00 Entertainment News: Show Biz 10:00 Game Show: Dibisikin 11:30 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:30 p.m.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Mega slammed after she complains
Mega slammed after she complains Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has been criticized for her reprimand of national athletes and their performances in the just-concluded Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, with sports officials urging the president to personally visit the athletes in order to have a better perspective of the condition of sports in the country.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Lampung council challenges Alzier's election annulment
Lampung council challenges Alzier's election annulment Oyos Saroso HN, The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung, Lampung Lampung legislative council leaders said on Tuesday that they will this week file a request for a judicial review of the central government's recent decision to annul the gubernatorial election of Alzier Dianis Tabrani, currently standing trial for graft. The request will be submitted to the Constitutional Commission to challenge Decree No.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ratifying amity and co-operation
Ratifying amity and co-operation The Tokyo Declaration and the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action contain a host of measures to enhance relations and co-operation between the two sides, ranging from human trafficking and terrorism to drugs and piracy. Since the first ASEAN-Japan Summit in 1977 which produced the Fukuda Doctrine of heart-to-heart diplomacy, Japan has been a vital presence in the development of the ASEAN region.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. BILL: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS
1. BILL: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS New bill allows fired workers to sue boss 2. ACEH: 2 LINES, 28 COUNTS Insecurity threatens next year's elections in Aceh, Susilo says 3. BPPN: 2 LINES, 19 COUNTS IBRA official quizzed over misuse of Rp 20.9t 4. POLICE: 2 LINES, 27 COUNTS Rape cases soar by 25 percent over past year amid legal limbo
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cambodia to destroy 200 missiles
Cambodia to destroy 200 missiles CAMBODIA: Cambodia plans to destroy more than 200 Soviet-era surface-to-air missiles to ensure that the weapons do not fall into the hands of international terrorists, officials said on Tuesday. Cambodia is a major source of illegal weapons, and has been known to supply arms to rebel groups across Asia, including the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka and militants in Indonesia's Aceh province.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Siswono eyes 2004 presidential election through PSI
Siswono eyes 2004 presidential election through PSI Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former transmigration minister Siswono Yudhohusodo has formally accepted the request of the newly established Indonesian Unity Party (PSI) to be its presidential candidate and pledged to help the party garner at least 5 percent of the vote in the 2004 elections.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. BNI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. BNI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 atas: New BNI chief pledges to strengthen internal supervision bawah: Sigit helps turn around BII 2. MEGA: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 Mega slammed after she complains 3. FORKOT: 30 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 27 Police arrest, beat students protesting general elections 4. BAGHDAD: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 Learn from Saddam's downfall: Analysts 5. CLONE: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 Human clone experiment repeated successfully
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt urges House to accept mining proposal
Govt urges House to accept mining proposal Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government called on the House of Representatives to immediately allow 13 mining companies to resume activities in protected forests because investment in the mining sector is running thin. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro- Jakti said the existing investment plans in the mining sector were projected to last until 2007. "After 2007, there will be no new (investment) activities.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tommy to testify on Jan. 13
Tommy to testify on Jan. 13 JAKARTA: Central Jakarta District Court presiding Judge Saparudin Hasibuan adjourned legal action initiated by Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra till Jan. 13 because the plaintiff was ill Tuesday. Defendant Abdullah Sidiq Muin, an Islamic boarding school leader, did not appear in court either. Prosecutor Ichwanul Saragih told the court that he met Tommy in Batu Penitentiary in Nusakambangan, Central Java, to find that "Tommy was sick".
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Death toll from landslides rises to 5
Death toll from landslides rises to 5 MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The death toll from Monday's landslides that hit four villages in Majene regency, South Sulawesi, rose to five on Tuesday after another body was found by rescuers. Another victim is in a critical condition and four others are missing, Majene Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Kawedar said, but he was unable to identify them.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
House endorses bill on industrial disputes
House endorses bill on industrial disputes Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Employers can no longer arbitrarily dismiss their workers as a new bill on industrial dispute settlement that the House of Representatives endorsed on Tuesday allows a dismissed worker to directly bring his or her case to court. It will rectify Law No.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
China to hold trade fair in Indonesia
China to hold trade fair in Indonesia After trade promotions here by the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and India, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China will hold its fourth Engineering and Technology Fair in Jakarta from Dec. 20 to Dec. 23.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Disabled people need special facilities'
'Disabled people need special facilities' The government figure shows that 3.11 percent of the country's 220 million population are people with disabilities. Small in number perhaps, but access for the disabled to public places and facilities are often neglected. The Jakarta Post talked to some people about the issue. Sunarya, 25, works at a newspaper company in Central Jakarta.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Overlooked mailboxes loyally stand duty
Overlooked mailboxes loyally stand duty Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Internet and short messaging service (SMS) have done away with personal letters for most people living in a big city like Jakarta. But around 400 orange mailboxes scattered throughout the capital still await those wanting to post letters. "We check the mailboxes every day and pick up any letters inside," Sudarwanto, a public relations officer with state-run PT Pos Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang now has mobile library
Tangerang now has mobile library JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court delayed on Tuesday the handing down of the verdict on a civil lawsuit filed by Texmaco textile group company against Tempo magazine, because one of the panel of judges had been promoted, and assigned to another province. Presiding judge ID Gde Putra Jadnya decided to adjourn the hearing until Dec. 30.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
IBRA official quizzed over misuse of Rp 20.9t
IBRA official quizzed over misuse of Rp 20.9t Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The police have started investigating alleged misuses of Account 502 by questioning a senior official at the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). A police investigator who declined to be named said on Tuesday that the IBRA bank restructuring unit deputy chairman I Nyoman Sender had been summoned to shed light on alleged misuses of the Rp 20.9 trillion (US$2.47 billion) held in the account.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Insecurity threatens next year's elections in Aceh, Todung says
Insecurity threatens next year's elections in Aceh, Todung says Nani Farida and Teuku Agam Muzakkir, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Lhokseumawe In a bid to ensure that the Acehnese can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections, rights campaigner Todung Mulya Lubis has called for a delay in the elections pending the lifting of martial law there.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt to give Sweden more evidence
Govt to give Sweden more evidence JAKARTA: A number of government officials will leave for Sweden to hand over more evidence linking the exiled leader of the Aceh separatist rebels to crimes in the province, a police officer said on Tuesday. The five-strong team made up of officers from the national police and foreign ministry officials will leave on Wednesday, and will spend between four and five days in Sweden for the purpose of presenting the new evidence and documents, said Brig. Gen.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bigger allowance for troops in Aceh
Bigger allowance for troops in Aceh JAKARTA: The House of Representatives has recommended the that government increase the daily allowance for police and military personnel deployed in the war-torn province of Aceh. The recommendation was announced by a House team tasked with monitoring the so-called integrated operation in Aceh at a plenary session on Tuesday. The team suggested the daily allowance be increased from Rp 21,000 ($2.5) per person to Rp 35,000 ($4).
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cheaper Indonesian palm oil cuts Malaysia's exports to India
Cheaper Indonesian palm oil cuts Malaysia's exports to India Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian crude palm oil (CPO) exports to India have nearly halved since 2001 and are expected to dip further next year due to lower pricing by rival Indonesia, a report said on Tuesday. CPO prices are hovering around 1,850 ringgit (US$487) a tone while Indonesian palm oil is shipping at a discount of more than 380 ringgit, the Business Times said.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Air Force HQ probes chopper crash
Air Force HQ probes chopper crash JAKARTA: Air Force Headquarters has decided to reopen the investigation into the crash of a Twinpack helicopter in Bogor, West Java, last October. "We need to conduct a follow-up investigation to get more detailed information about the cause of the incident," Air Force spokesman Rear Air Marshall Sagom Tamboen said on Tuesday. The crash at Atang Sanjaya Air Force base in Bogor, West Java, killed seven Air Force personnel, including Capt. Andi and Capt.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ministry of Finance completes bonds issue for this year
Ministry of Finance completes bonds issue for this year The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government issued on Tuesday some Rp 3.2 trillion (US$378.70 million)-worth of bonds, which is the last bond issue for this year aimed to help ease the burden on the current state budget. The Ministry of Finance said that the bond issue was oversubscribed 2.01 times. The issue brings the total amount of bonds issued during the year to Rp 11.7 trillion, the same value the state budget has targeted.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest, beat students protesting general elections
Police arrest, beat students protesting general elections The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Central Jakarta police arrested 54 protesting students, six of them girls, just as they were dispersing after staging an anti- election rally at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. The students, members of the Jaringan Kota (Jarkot) or City Network, were being interrogated late into Tuesday night and the police denied them their right to have a lawyer present.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Retes Dec.16
Rupiah Retes Dec.16 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,684.07 5,936.57 6,343.54 6,276.86 Brunei dollar 1 5,266.55 4,677.99 4,998.24 4,946.14 Canadian dollar 1 6,834.94 6,070.04 6,486.73 6,417.99 Swiss franc 1 7,050.43 6,263.72 6,691.24 6,622.77 Danish krone 1 1,487.89 1,322.06 1,412.09 1,397.84 Euro 1 11,072.08 9,836.49 10,508.01 10,400.33 Poundsterling 1 15,708.23 13,956.93 14,907.96 14,756.97 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,158.16 1,029.20 1,099.16 1,088.20...
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
MUI commission bans bank interest
MUI commission bans bank interest Dadan Wijaksana and A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Edict Commission said on Tuesday that it had agreed to declare interest on money as riba, which is forbidden under Islamic law, but MUI deputy chairman Din Syamsuddin said that the edict was not final.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rape cases soar by 25 percent over past year amid legal limbo
Rape cases soar by 25 percent over past year amid legal limbo Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite a declining trend among most recorded crimes in the city, the number of rape cases has significantly soared -- by 25 percent -- this year. Women's rights activists, as well as police, blame legal limbo as one of the main factors behind such an astounding rise.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Security protection
Security protection for TKI? From Warta Kota Reports on Indonesian migrant workers (TKI), particularly women, who have become a target of extortion and robbery upon their arrival home, should arouse our concern. After leaving their families for several years of hard work, they still have to face such mishaps. Stories of rape and torture of female workers by their employers abroad add to the tragedy.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Five killed in traffic accident
Five killed in traffic accident SITUBONDO, East Java: Five people were killed and dozens of others injured when a bus crashed into a tree in Situbondo regency, East Java, on Tuesday after managing to avoid a collision with a minivan coming from the opposite direction. Situbondo police officer Second Insp. Kasiyan said the accident took place at around 3:30 a.m. in Lamongan village, Arjasa subdistrict.
Wed, 17 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Price war in generic drugs intensifies: Lawmaker
Price war in generic drugs intensifies: Lawmaker Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A legislator expressed concern on Tuesday about a price war among the country's generic medicine producers, fearing it would prompt drug trade in the black market. House of Representatives Commission VII deputy chairman Surya Chandra Surapaty said the price war was the result of producers' aggressive promotion by offering huge discounts to distributors, leading to an increase in demand for their products.